Match-box.



No. 717,983. PATENTED JAN, 6, 1903' J. H. FULTON.

MATCH BOX.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 13, 1902.

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NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH H. FULTON, OF WEST LEBANON, PENNSYLVANIA.

MATCH-BOX.

QPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 717,983, dated January 6, 1903.

Application filed May 13, 1902. Serial No. 107,148. (No model.)

To call whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOSEPH H. FULTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at West Lebanon, in the county of Indiana and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Match-BoXes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in match-boxes, especially pocket match-boxes; and its object is to provide a simple, inexpensive, and compact device of this character from which matches are adapted to be delivered one at a time, as desired.

A further object is to so construct the box as to permit the same tobe readily filled and to adapt it for containing matches of various shapes and sizes.

With the above and other objects in View the invention consists in providing a partition within a casing of desired form, said partition serving to hold the .matches in two parallel rows within the box. A plate is slidaloly mounted upon the partition and is held horizontally pressed against the matches by means of a spring of novel construction. A sliding pivoted claw is mounted at the rear top por tion of the box and is adapted to be swung back of or into engagement alternately with a match of each of the parallel series.

The invention also consists in the further novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, showing the preferred form of my inthe slide and the claw connected thereto.

upon wires 4, extending from the top to the bottom of the casing, and is preferably formed by folding a sheet of metal thereover,as shown in Fig. i. The rear edges 5 of this partition each side thereo f.

are bent outward and serve the purposes of springs for holding matches with slight pressure against the sides of the casing. A slotted plate 6 is slidably mounted upon the partition 3 and is held horizontally pressed upward by means of a substantially oval-shaped coiled spring '7, inclosing the partition 3 and terminating at its rear end in a coil 8, secured to the bottom of the casing.

A slide 9 is mounted within the s10t2, heretofore referred to, and a button 10 is pivoted upon the outer face thereof. An elastic band may be attached to said slide and rear end of casing to drawback said slide after delivery of each match. The pivot 11 of this button extends through the slide and is bent rearwardly parallel thereto, terminating in a wedgeshaped head 12, having a claw 13 formed at The pivot 11 is secured to the button 10 and is adapted to move therewith. A lid or cover 14 is pivoted to the front lower end of the casing 1 and extends to a point removed from the top of the casing. The aperture 15, formed in top of this cover, is normally closed by means of an elastic strip 16.

A cord 17 is secured to the center of the strip 6 and extends through an aperture 18, formed within the bottom of the casing. By pulling the cord downward the strip 6 is drawn downward, thereby compressing spring 7 against the bottom of the casing. As the coils of the spring are different sizes, they will when compressed lie onewithin the other, thereby occupying a space equal to only one thickness of wire. When the strip 6 has been drawn downward as far as possible, matches are placed on top thereof on each side of partition 3. These matches may be inserted either through the opened cover 14 or pressed downward through the aperture 15. When the casing has been filled, the cord 17 is released, and the spring 7 will then force the matches firmly against the top of the casing.

When it is desired to remove a match, the button 10 is swung to one side a sufficient distance to bring the claw 13, connected thereto, to the rear of or into contact with a match. Said button and its slide 9 are then moved forward, and the match caught or engaged will be carried therewith and will press the elastic covering 16 forward from aperture 15.

The match can be readily grasped, as will be fully understood by referring to Fig. 2. When a second match is to be removed from the casing, the button and its claw are swung in opposite direction, thereby securing for delivery the first match of the second series. In this manner all of the matches can be removed from the device. The flexible covering 16 prevents the removal of any match but the one delivered by the claw 13. By providing the claws upon each side of head 12 any form of match arranged at the side thereof will be engaged thereby.

In the foregoing description I have shown the preferred form of my invention; but I do not limit myself thereto, as I am aware that modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof, and I therefore reserve the right to make such changes as fairly fall Within the scope of my invention.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. The combination with a casing having a slotted top thereto, of a slide mounted within the slot, and a laterally-movable claw pivoted in the slide and adapted tocatch from the rear end or engage a match within the casing.

2. The combination with a casing having an aperture in one end thereof and a slotted top, of a slide within the slot, a button pivoted upon the slide, and a claw within the casing and secured to and movable with the button, said claw being adapted to catch or engage a match and to slide the same through the aperture.

3. The combination with a casing having a slotted top and an aperture, of a slide mounted within the slot, a button pivoted upon the slide, a laterally-movable claw pivoted to the slide and movable with the button, said claw being adapted to catch or engage a match within the casing, and a flexible cover for said aperture.

4. The combination with a casing having a slotted top, of a slide mounted within the slot, a laterally-movable claw pivoted to the slide, means for operating the claw, and a springpressed slide for holding matches horizontally in contact with the slotted top.

5. The combination with a casing having a slotted top, of a partition in the casing adapted to hold matches against each side of the casing, a slide mounted upon the partition for holding the matches against the slotted top, and means for pressing said slide against the matches.

6. The combination with a casing having a slotted top, of a partition in the casing, and having outwardly-turned spring edges for holding matches in contact with each side of the casing, and a spring-pressed slide upon the partition for holding matches horizontally pressed against the slotted top.

7. The combination with a casing having a slotted top and an aperture adjacent to said top, of a slide mounted within the slot, a laterally-movable claw pivoted to the slide, means foroperating the claw, a partition within the casing, and having spring edges for holding matches against each side of the easing, a spring-pressed slide upon the partition for holding matches against the slotted top at opposite sides of the claw, and a flexible covering for the aperture in the casing.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH l-I. FULTON.

Witnesses:

GEORGE W. COLLINS, CARRIE Z. FULTON. 

